Author: drinkcfadmin

Preparing for Orthopedic Surgery: 5 Crucial Steps to Take for a Successful Procedure

Post author By drinkcfadmin
Post date August 8, 2019
No Comments on Preparing for Orthopedic Surgery: 5 Crucial Steps to Take for a Successful Procedure

While every surgery requires preparation, preparing for orthopedic surgery is in a league of its own. With limited mobility and prolonged recovery periods, the thought of going under for orthopedic surgery can be daunting—especially for those who are typically very active and independent. Fortunately, there are some helpful steps you can take in advance to ensure your surgery is successful and your recovery is as smooth (and as fast!) as possible. Today, then, we’re breaking down our top 5 pro tips for preparing for orthopedic surgery. Read on for an empowered operation.

Get educated about your surgery.

A successful surgery always starts with patient empowerment. This means arming yourself with the information you need to make smart choices and address any lingering issues regarding your upcoming procedure. We recommend taking some time to sit down and write out a list of questions to ask your surgeon before you get to your preop appointment. Have your questions prepared—and make sure you bring along a pen and paper or a device to record your doctor’s answers. Questions you may want to ask include:

What time will I need to arrive for my surgery?
What is the overall goal of the surgery?
How will the surgery be performed, and who will be performing it?
Have you performed this surgery before and, if so, what were the results?
What type of anesthesia will I be administered, and who will be administering it?
Will I need to stop taking my medications before my surgery and, if so, when should I stop?
Will I be given a prescription for pain meds so I can pick those up in advance?
What are the possible risks of my operation?
How long will the procedure take?
What can I expect to experience during my recovery period?
When can I expect to start physical therapy?

Educate your physician about your personal state.

When it comes to preparing for orthopedic surgery, education goes both ways. While doctors do their absolute best to give every case the attention it deserves, they are also human—being overworked or having a packed schedule might lead to some things slipping through the cracks. As a patient, be your own advocate by coming prepared to your preop appointment with all of the information your doctor may need to perform a successful orthopedic surgery. This includes:

A clear outline of your medical history
A clear outline of your family history
A list of any allergies, sensitivities, or reactions to medications
Information about how you’ve responded to anesthesia in the past, if applicable
A list of your current medications and the daily dosage
Any x-rays, lab tests, or notes that pertain to your current condition
Your pharmacy’s address and phone number

Work on your fitness and flexibility.

While it’s tempting to want to wait until after your surgery to start getting active, working on your fitness and flexibility before you go under the knife is one of the most effective ways to shorten your recovery period. Being physically fit before an orthopedic procedure will also help you get through physical therapy more seamlessly after surgery. If possible, contact your physical therapist’s office ahead of time and ask if they can offer up notes on a presurgery routine for your specific type of orthopedic surgery. Work with resistance bands, a Bosu ball, or any other tools they recommend that help increase flexibility and strength.

Maintain or achieve a healthy weight.

Being overweight can put a ton of undue pressure on your joints. Getting healthy and achieving (or maintaining) a healthy BMI before your procedure then, is one of the most effective things you can do to ensure a successful surgery and recovery. We recommend working CF Protein, our plant-based protein drink, into your presurgery nutrition plan—it’s a smart, simple way to ensure you’re getting the specific type of nourishment and minerals your body requires before going into surgery without overeating. In addition, opt for a diet that incorporates lots of fiber, Omega 3, and complex carbs—and reduce your intake of simple sugars and meats with a high fat content.

Plan for your recovery.

Who’s going to help you recover? Who will drive you places? Is your home or recovery location going to be functional for you? Have you picked up any necessary prescriptions in advance? These are all things to take note of before you head into surgery so you’re not stuck scrambling as you recover. If your home is multiple stories, you may want to gather everything you’ll need and prepare a recovery space on one single floor so you don’t have to tackle the stairs every day. You can also move overhead, hard-to-reach kitchen and bathroom items onto an easy-to-reach counter space. And be sure to remove any tripping hazards (rugs, cords, etc.) from high-traffic areas. In addition, consider nutritional steps you can take to make your recovery easier. We recommend ordering ClearFast PreOp, our anesthesiologist-developed presurgery drink that’s specifically designed to reduce your risk of surgical infection, reduce post-op nausea and vomiting, and shorten your recovery period. Be sure to order enough bottles for both your preparation and recovery period—and refrigerate your ClearFast PreOp beforehand for optimal taste!

(Psst…wondering if ClearFast PreOp is safe to drink if your doctor told you to fast before surgery? As long as you finish your final bottle two hours before your surgery, it’s not only safe—it’s actual proven to lead to safer surgeries than fasting all together. Learn more about why that’s the case here!)

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Overall, preparing for orthopedic surgery is all about taking proactive steps to ensure a safe procedure and a strong recovery. As part of this, we recommend talking to your doctor about replacing the from-midnight fast with a ClearFast PreOp liquid fast instead. With her approval, you can order ClearFast Preop here. And, as always, don’t hesitate to reach out to the ClearFast team at support@drinkcf.com if you have any questions at all!

Presurgery Nutrition

Immunonutriton for Patients and Providers

Post author By drinkcfadmin
Post date July 25, 2019
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At ClearFast, we’re all about empowering patients with the information they need to have better surgery experiences and stronger recoveries. Part of that empowerment process often means breaking down medical jargon and industry buzzwords in a way patients can understand and act upon. Today, then, we’re talking about the latest medical buzzword: immunonutrition. Read on to learn what it is and what in the world it has to do with your health journey.

What is immunonutrition?

Essentially, immunonutrition involves activating our body’s immune system through the intake of specific nutrients. “Immunonutrition” is an umbrella term used to describe nutrients that affect the immune system. This includes things like glutamine, antioxidants, and n-3 (omega 3) fatty acids. Nutrients that fall under the category of immunonutrition can inhibit inflammation, improve or increase immune function, enhance T-cell function, and decrease the body’s inflammatory response.

What does immunonutrition have to do with surgery?

Surgery can spark a systemic inflammatory response that ultimately puts high metabolic demands on a patient and can lead to a depletion of their essential nutrient stores. In layman’s terms? Surgery can weaken your immune system and leave you vulnerable to infection and other dangerous complications. In fact, infection is the most common cause of mortality following surgery—so it makes sense that physicians and medical professionals take every step possible to avoid it. Immunonutrition, then, tries to address this issue by controlling your immune response by providing your body the nutrients it needs to avoid vulnerability and infection following surgery.

How is immunonutrition administered?

Because patients struggle to meet nutritional requirements during the post-op period (thanks to issues like post-op nausea and vomiting, among other factors), immunonutrition is administered enterally (i.e. via the GI tract), through a feeding tube.

If you want to take immunonutrition into your own hands, however, you can start by ensuring your body has the fuel it needs to go under the knife strong and recover faster. Our plant-based protein drink can be consumed in the weeks leading up to surgery, and CFpreop, our presurgery drink, can be consumed up to two hours before surgery. We also recommend working both into your recovery routine to ensure your immune system is strong as you recover.

What nutrients are included in immunonutrition formulas?

While immunonutrition includes a number of nutrients, the most common nutrients found in enteral immunonutrition medical formulas include:

Omega 3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: These may inhibit inflammation and enhance T helper cell function.
Antioxidants: Antioxidants protect against oxidative stress—including stress brought about by surgery when the body releases oxidants in response to inflammation.
Amino Acids: This category includes things like Glutamine (an important nutrient for cell division and one that improves gut carrier function) and Arginine (which stimulates nitric oxide synthesis, growth hormone production, and increases T helper cell count).

For those who want to take immunonutrition into their own hands, CFprotein is chock-full of Omega 3 and anti-inflammatory nutrients, helping you build up your strength and protect your immune system before you go under anesthesia.

So, does immunonutrition work?

While immunonutrition has promising potential to reduce length of hospital stay and reduce the risk of infection by helping patients avoid malnourishment and a weakened immune system, it’s important to note that research on the efficacy of immunonutrition is inconclusive (due to variations in immunonutrient feeding mechanisms, amounts patients were fed, the timing of patient feeding, and an array of other individual factors).

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Ready for a better bounce back? Learn more about ClearFast Preop here—or reach out to the ClearFast team at support@drinkcf.com if you have any questions at all!

Presurgery Nutrition

Diabetes and Surgery: Can I Drink ClearFast PreOp if I’m Diabetic or Should I Fast?

Post author By drinkcfadmin
Post date July 11, 2019
No Comments on Diabetes and Surgery: Can I Drink ClearFast PreOp if I’m Diabetic or Should I Fast?

If you’re one of the over 30 million people in the U.S. who is diabetic, you might be wondering about diabetes and surgery—and whether or not ClearFast Preop is right for you—as you prepare for your procedure. After all, pre-op fasting—coupled with the massive amount of stress that’s often brought on by surgery—can make controlling your blood sugar all the more difficult. So how, exactly, do you safely prepare your body for surgery as a diabetic so you can enter into and wake up from anesthesia in the strongest state possible? Today, we’re talking all you need to know about the role a proper presurgery drink can play in enhancing a diabetic’s surgery experience. Read on for some seriously empowering information!

Should diabetics fast before surgery?

Recent clinical studies and findings from numerous medical professionals show that fasting before surgery actually adds stress and can decrease the safety of patients preparing for surgery. This is particularly true as it relates to diabetes and surgery—as diabetic patients are often the most adversely affected by prolonged fasting (more on this later!).

Why is fasting before surgery risky for diabetics?

A prolonged fast sends your body into a catabolic state—which ultimately means your body uses up its limited hepatic glycogen stores when it needs energy before surgery and then moves on to breaking down healthy fat and muscle tissue as an alternative energy source. This isn’t ideal for the everyday patient, let alone for a patient who is managing diabetes. For the diabetic, this translates into serious complications like perioperative hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia and/or ketoacidosis.

Are there other risks I should be aware of when it comes to diabetes and surgery?

In addition to hyperglycemia and/or ketoacidosis, things like post-op nausea and vomiting (something nearly one in three patients experience when waking up from surgery), increased stress (something we all experience before and after surgery), and a decrease in activity level after surgery can make managing your blood sugar all the more difficult as a diabetic. Minimizing your risk of these complications, then, is key when we’re talking about diabetes and surgery. One proven way you can do so is by talking to your doctor about implementing a liquid fast with ClearFast Preop in place of the traditional “from midnight” fast.

Why should I consider drinking ClearFast Preop in place of fasting?

Any diabetic knows that prolonged fasting is one of the quickest ways to throw your blood sugar completely out of whack (add stress hormones and pre-surgery anxiety on top of that and you’ve got a recipe for disaster when it comes to diabetes and surgery). According to an array of medical studies, pre-op carb-loading for diabetics is actually one of the safest, most effective ways to manage blood sugar levels before, during, and after surgery. Here’s how it works:

It protects your critical glycogen stores: By providing your body the complex carbs it needs for energy, drinking ClearFast before surgery helps to ensure your body isn’t using up all of those important glycogen stores. This ultimately helps you proactively manage your blood-sugar levels, rather than being at the mercy of a from-midnight fast (and the negative side effects such a fast can have on your health as a diabetic).

It takes into account a diabetic’s ongoing nutritional requirements: Let’s face it—fasting for hours upon hours isn’t exactly a practical option for diabetics, who have constant and critical nutritional requirements. By working ClearFast into your surgery prep routine and closely monitoring your blood sugar levels as part of the prep process, you’re working with—rather than completely ignoring—your body’s critical nutritional requirements.

It reduces your chance of preop complications: Fasting before surgery for diabetics can mean a dangerous drop in blood-sugar levels, which ultimately leads to complications like hypoglycemia and even ketoacidosis. Preparing your body for surgery with ClearFast helps to reduce the risk of your body using up all of those important glycogen stores and ultimately ending up in one of these two risk-prone states.

It reduces your chance of post-op complications: Numerous studies have found that pre-op carb-loading with a complex-carb-rich, clear preop drink like ClearFast can reduce your risk of post-op insulin resistance and post-op infections—as well as reduce the occurrence of post-op vomiting (all of which make managing your blood-sugar difficult, posing particular danger for those with diabetes). These same studies have found the fasting-from-midnight instruction to be antiquated and even unsafe, especially in regards to the development of post-op insulin resistance. In fact, according to a lecture published in PubMed, “The increased uptake of glucose in non-insulin-sensitive cells is involved in the development of several of the most common postoperative complications, including infections and cardiovascular problems. Many of the perioperative treatments in use are outdated, and modern care involves a multimodal approach with several treatments, such as preoperative carbohydrate treatment instead of overnight fasting.”

Just like this finding states, when we’re able to avoid or reduce the risk of these complications through preop carb treatment, we end up with a much easier and shorter recovery period—which ultimately means getting to go home (and getting back to your life!) much quicker.

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Overall, when it comes to diabetes and surgery, we recommend talking to your doctor about replacing the from-midnight fast with ClearFast Preop liquid fast instead. With her approval, you can order ClearFast Preop here—or reach out to the ClearFast team at support@drinkcf.com if you have any questions at all!

Presurgery Nutrition

Vegan Protein Pre Surgery Nutrition

Post author By drinkcfadmin
Post date June 27, 2019
No Comments on Vegan Protein Pre Surgery Nutrition

clearfast-plant-based-protein-drink_clean protein drink

Chances are you’ve heard us talk about presurgery nutrition before—and, today, we’re so excited to help you add to that all-important presurgery nutrition plan with a clean protein drink. The newest member of the ClearFast family of products, CF Protein was formulated to finally offer patients a high-quality replacement for “junk” protein supplements and chalky protein milkshakes. Today, then, we’re talking all you need to know about this powerhouse clean protein drink—including how it helps you bounce back better after surgery. Read on for an empowered operation!

We developed our clean protein drink to complete your presurgery nutrition plan.

ClearFast started with ClearFast PreOp, our original presurgery drink designed to take in the hours leading up to surgery, replacing the old-school “fasting from midnight” approach. When we added to our family of products, then, we wanted to create something that was just as high-quality and clean as ClearFast PreOp, but that was designed to drink the days and weeks leading up to a procedure, helping patients complete their presurgery nutrition plan.

All-natural ingredients matter.

At ClearFast, we’ve always prided ourselves on being a patient-forward company. Our goals are to empower patients, improve lives, enhance surgery experiences, and—above all—formulate with purpose. Our original ClearFast PreOp drink was formulated by a board-certified anesthesiologist who cares about patients and their well being. She saw patients were having a problem maintaining a from-midnight fast—and also realized that sending patients into surgery dehydrated and on empty stomachs wasn’t a great approach—and formulated something that has since been proven to enhance surgery experiences all around. Honoring her patient-forward and “formulate with purpose” approach is at the core of all that we do—and, for us, that meant developing a clean protein drink using only the highest quality, all-natural ingredients.

CF Protein was specifically designed to help strengthen your body in the weeks leading up to surgery.

Undergoing surgery malnourished can cause serious complications like infection and pneumonia. Supplementing a healthy diet with our clean protein drink in the weeks leading up to surgery can help you build a solid foundation for your upcoming procedure. We formulated CF Protein to give your body all of the support it needs at it prepares to endure the stress of surgery. (PRO TIP: You can even drink CF Protein after surgery to help your body gain strength and recover faster.) The ingredients that help prepare your body for surgery include:

Plant Protein: A complete protein (containing all nine essential amino acids), yellow pea protein is easily digestible and a good source of iron.

Omega 3: The chia seed oil in CF Protein is rich in omega 3 essential fatty acids and contains high levels of antioxidants for skin and cell protection.

Turmeric: A natural and powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, turmeric gives CF Protein its vibrant color.

L-Citrulline: This amino acid aids in muscle recovery and boosts nitric oxide production.

Vitamins & Electrolytes: The natural fruit juices in CF Protein are rich in Vitamin A & C, potassium and calcium for a healthy boost.

Complex Carbohydrates: Complex carbohydrates are proven to reduce post-op loss of muscle mass.

Incorporating plant-based protein into your diet in the weeks before procedure can enhance your surgery experience.

It’s simple, really: the stronger you go under anesthesia, the stronger you recover—and our clean protein drink was designed to help you undergo anesthesia in the strongest state possible. CF Protein offers patients therapeutic nutrition that’s proven to help patients bounce back better Some of its key benefits and features include:

Improves post-surgical metabolic function
Supports the hyper-metabolic state needed for the healing process

A high quality protein and fat source—full of vitamins and minerals
Easily digestible and gentle on the stomach
Easy to consume if experiencing nausea, vomiting, or low appetite after surgery
Prevents the loss of muscle mass (high levels of glutamine)
Promotes tissue rebuilding

The key to a successful surgery is in your preparation.

Seeing improved surgical outcomes (reduced risk of infection, shorter length of stay, faster recovery, etc.) comes down to incorporating healthy life choices in the months and weeks before you go under the knife. Start exercising more, quit smoking if you currently do, cut back on alcohol consumption, and take up de-stressing techniques like meditation or yoga. Drink 1-2 bottles of CF Protein each day the week before your surgery to help strengthen your body, and drink ClearFast Preop in the hours before your procedure for an improved—and empowered—surgery experience!

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Ready for a better bounce back? Order CF Protein here—or reach out to the ClearFast team at support@drinkcf.com if you have any questions at all!

Preparing for Surgery

Anesthesia Types for Surgery

Post author By drinkcfadmin
Post date May 16, 2019
No Comments on Anesthesia Types for Surgery

At ClearFast, we’re firm believers in showing surgery who’s boss—and a huge part of that patient empowerment lies in knowledge. The more you know about what to expect and how to prepare, afterall, the stronger and faster you’ll recover. Today, then, we’re adding to your pre-surgery knowledge box with a clear-and-simple breakdown of the different types of anesthesia and what you should know about each. Read on!

Types of Anesthesia:

General Anesthesia

What to know: When you think of “going under”, this is probably the type of anesthesia you’re thinking about. The most common of all the different types of anesthesia, general anesthesia causes you to completely lose consciousness and may be administered through an IV, or through a breathing mask or oxygen tube. When you’re “out” under general anesthesia, your brain doesn’t respond to reflexes or pain signals. Keep in mind that, in one out of every three patients, general anesthesia causes postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), which you can combat by drinking our presurgery drink CF PreOp up to two hours before your procedure.

What it’s used for: When it comes to types of anesthesia, general anesthesia is the one that’s most commonly used for any “major” procedure. This could mean anything from open-heart surgery to an ACL replacement.

Local Anesthesia

What to know: Like its name implies, local anesthesia simply numbs a certain part of your body. It doesn’t affect your mental state or “knock you out” the way general anesthesia does. If you’re administered local anesthesia, the part of your body the physician is addressing will be completely numb, but you will still remain conscious and awake. Physicians use local anesthesia when they can perform the operation quickly and without the need to have muscles in the body relaxed.

What it’s used for: Local anesthesia is used for minor, localized procedures—like getting stitches, having a mole removed, having something biopsied, or undergoing dental surgery.

Regional Anesthesia

What to know: A category that includes spinal anesthesia, epidural anesthesia, and nerve blocks, regional anesthesia numbs a large part of the body without rendering you unconscious. It works by injecting a local anesthesia near nerves or nerve clusters, ultimately affecting an entire part of the body. If used on its own, you’ll be awake during surgery—but, for certain procedures, anesthesiologists may use regional anesthesia in combination with a sedative or with general anesthesia to sedate or put you out entirely you for your operation.

What it’s used for: Regional anesthesia is most commonly used to numb women below the waist during childbirth (an epidural). It can also be used for orthopedic surgeries on a single extremity, for cesarean sections, and for gastrointestinal procedures.

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Want to learn more about how ClearFast makes for a smoother recovery? Read all about ClearFast and the science behind its ingredients here—or reach out to the ClearFast team at support@drinkcf.com if you have any questions at all!

Pediatrics Preparing for Surgery

Pre-Surgery Support For Children with ClearFast

Post author By drinkcfadmin
Post date May 2, 2019
No Comments on Pre-Surgery Support For Children with ClearFast

Going under the knife can be intimidating and overwhelming for adults, let alone for kids. While avoiding talking about the scary experience all together can often feel like the answer, properly preparing your child for surgery will lead to an empowered surgery process for both of you. Today, then, we’re offering up our top three tips for opening up conversation and reducing the fear of an upcoming surgery for your little ones.

Explain what’s happening.

Any parent knows just how perceptive and intuitive kids can be. While wanting to shield your child from certain realities of surgery makes sense, it’s also important they have a clear idea of what’s happening. Preparing your child for surgery starts with letting them know why they’re having surgery and what they can expect. Bring your child in the room with their surgeon for a conversation and allow them to meet their anesthesiologists beforehand if possible as well. You want your child to have a clear picture of what the day will involve and to feel comfortable with (or at least recognize the faces of) the people who will be involved on the day of. When you get home—or somewhere where they are comfortable—be sure to have a separate conversation with them where they can open up more.

Allow Them to Experience Their Emotions

When it comes to preparing your child for surgery, helping them feel empowered throughout the pre-op process is key. Allow your child to experience their emotions and fears around surgery—rather than shielding them from all aspects of it. Work with your child before their pre-op appointment to come up with a list of questions they want to ask their doctor—and be sure you make a point to validate your child’s emotions before immediately jumping in with, “There’s no reason to be scared!” or “Everything will be fine!”

Do what you can to make them comfortable.

Depending on your child’s age, you might want to bring a comfort item (a favorite stuffed animal, a familiar blanket, a photo they like) with them—and be sure to bring a few things to keep them entertained as you wait. Drinking ClearFast Preop up until two hours before their surgery is also a great option for the little ones, as it makes fasting easier and helps with the post-op nausea that often accompanies being administered anesthesia on an empty stomach. On top of that, make sure you are with your child up until the very last moment you can’t be and ensure you’re there when they wake up—nothing eases fear like a familiar face.

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Want to learn more about how ClearFast makes for a smoother recovery for little ones? Read all about ClearFast and the science behind its ingredients here—or reach out to the ClearFast team at support@drinkcf.com if you have any questions at all!

Preparing for Surgery

What to Ask Before Surgery: 4 Must-Ask Questions for your Physician

Post author By drinkcfadmin
Post date April 18, 2019
No Comments on What to Ask Before Surgery: 4 Must-Ask Questions for your Physician

Knowledge is power—and, as far as we’re concerned, showing surgery who’s boss all comes down to being proactive about your procedure. A major part of this? Knowing what to ask before surgery so you can better prepare for what to expect and how to reduce any associated risks. Today, then, we’re breaking down the top 4 questions you should ask your physician before your surgery day arrives. Read on…and get ready to feel empowered as ever!

What type of anesthesia will I be getting?

When it comes to what to ask before surgery, this one is at the top of the list. Understanding what type of anesthesia you’ll be getting (local, regional, or general) is imperative for feeling empowered about your procedure—it will help you have a clear idea of what to expect, how you’ll feel afterward, and what risks you might be facing. You should also ask who will be administering the anesthesia and request to meet that person prior to your surgery date.

What can I do to reduce my risk of complications?

This one is an all-too-often overlooked question on the list of what to ask before surgery. Patients often spend tons of time looking into complications associated with their upcoming surgery (and losing sleep as a result!)—but neglect to realize there are actually things they can do to reduce the risk of those complications occurring. While different procedures have different risks associated with them, surgical site infections can happen regardless of the type of surgery you’re having.

One simple way to reduce your risk of a surgical infection is to prepare for surgery with a carb-rich presurgery drink like ClearFast PreOp. The outdated practice of fasting from midnight uncouples the glucose-insulin relationship in your body and can render you insulin-resistant. Ultimately, when a patient is insulin-resistant after surgery, this can translate into high blood sugar. High blood sugar—coupled with a fresh surgical incision—creates the perfect “sweet environment” for developing an infection (essentially, high blood sugar and an open surgical wound invite microbial colonization). But, according to a number of international medical articles, including an article published in Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, “Preoperative carbohydrate drinks significantly improved insulin resistance.” You can learn more about how postoperative insulin resistance affects your surgery safety here.

What can I expect during recovery?

Understanding what to expect when you wake up will help ease the nerves and fear associated with the unknown. Ask your doctor how you might feel when coming out of general anesthesia. You should also talk to her about reducing your risk of post-op nausea and vomiting (PONV). One in three patients experiences PONV when waking up from general anesthesia—but you can significantly reduce your risk of getting sick upon waking from anesthesia by preparing for surgery with ClearFast PreOp. If you’re worried about feeling sick or groggy—or simply want to take a proactive step to set yourself up for a smooth recovery (and a shorter hospital stay)—make sure you ask your doctor about incorporating ClearFast into your presurgery nutrition plan.

What can I do to speed up my recovery?

We’ll let you in on a little secret—how you feel after surgery has everything to do with what you did leading up to surgery. When it comes to what to ask before surgery, then, make sure you talk to your doctor about proactive ways you can speed up your recovery. She might suggest things like stopping smoking, exercising more, and focusing on getting the presurgery nutrition you need to go under—and wake up from—anesthesia in the strongest state possible. CF Protein is a great option for the weeks leading up to your surgery (particularly for patients who need to build up muscle mass or put on weight prior to surgery)—while ClearFast PreOp was designed to take in the hours leading up to your surgery and is formulated with an array of ingredients specifically designed to enhance and speed up your recovery. As part of this conversation, make sure you understand how fasting before surgery can slow your recovery and ask your doctor about a carb-drink fluid fast with ClearFast in place of the outdated fasting-from-midnight practice.

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Want to learn more about how ClearFast makes for a safer procedure and smoother recovery? Read all about ClearFast and the science behind its ingredients here—or reach out to the ClearFast team at support@drinkcf.com if you have any questions at all!

Presurgery Nutrition

4 Outpatient Procedures You Should Prep for with ClearFast Preop

Post author By drinkcfadmin
Post date April 4, 2019
No Comments on 4 Outpatient Procedures You Should Prep for with ClearFast Preop

It can be easy to write-off outpatient procedures as “no big deal”—but the truth is any procedure, no matter how minor it may seem, puts major stress on your body. Whether you’re going in for wisdom-teeth removal or a meniscus repair, preparing for outpatient procedures with proper presurgery nutrition makes all of the difference in the world when it comes to how fast (and how well) your body is able to recover. Today, then, we’re breaking down the top outpatient procedures that are made so much better by adding ClearFast PreOp to your presurgery plan—read on for our top four picks.

Wisdom Teeth Removal

Just around 10 million wisdom teeth are removed in the U.S. each year (ouch!). Wisdom teeth typically come in between the ages of 17-25 and can cause an array of oral issues, which is why about 85% of people end up having to have them removed. We break down our top tips for preparing for wisdom teeth removal here, but one of the most impactful ways you can prepare your body for wisdom teeth removal is by drinking ClearFast PreOp in the window leading up to your procedure.

Why we love ClearFast PreOp for wisdom teeth removal:

It greatly reduces your risk of post-op nausea and vomiting—which, let’s be honest, is never fun when your mouth is painful as ever and chock-full of gauze-filled craters. Plus, because ClearFast PreOp offers medical-grade hydration, it makes IV sticks much easier (hydrated veins are far easier to find and less painful to “stick”), which is a major plus for younger patients. It’s also been proven to reduce pre-surgery nerves and anxiety—another major plus for young patients who might be nervous about going under anesthesia for the first time.

Rotator Cuff Repair

Responsible for keeping your upper arm bone within the socket of your shoulder, the rotator cuff is a group of tendons that’s particularly subject to athletic and work-related injuries. Rotator cuff injuries are often seen in those who repeatedly perform overhead motions with their arms—think: tennis players, baseball players (particularly pitchers), or even painters and carpenters.

Why we love ClearFast PreOp for rotator cuff repair:

According to a 2015 study, controlling blood glucose levels is one of the potential ways medical professionals can improve rotator cuff repair healing rates—and drinking ClearFast PreOp does just that (by providing your body the complex carbs it needs for energy rather than fasting-from-midnight, drinking ClearFast before surgery helps to ensure your body isn’t using up all of those ever-important glycogen stores. This ultimately helps you proactively manage your blood-sugar levels.) Plus, ClearFast greatly reduces your risk of surgical site infection and enhances your overall recovery—ensuring athletes and workers can get back to their daily activities quicker.

Meniscus Repair

If you’ve ever played a contact sport, chances are you’re familiar with this one. Think of your meniscus as shock absorbers that help keep your knee cap stable—a torn meniscus can lead to instability of your kneecap, immobility of your knee cap, and incredible pain. Patients under the age of 30 often need meniscus repair as a result of an acute athletic injury—such as a blow to the knee (during soccer, football, or hockey contact, for example), over-rotation of the knee from a quick pivot (like when an athlete changes directions in soccer or basketball), or hyperextension of the knee (landing wrong after a jump).

A “popping” feeling in the knee followed by immediate pain and swelling are telltale signs of a meniscus tear. While Grade 1 and Grade 2 tears can often repair themselves overtime with rest and proper icing techniques, a Grade 3 tear will unfortunately require minor surgery.

Why we love ClearFast PreOp for meniscus repair:

The Vitamin A in ClearFast PreOp helps with healthy tissue function—and drinking ClearFast before your meniscus surgery greatly reduces your risk of developing an infection at the surgical site, so you can get back to the field, court, or rink as quick as possible!

Lumpectomy

Beginning at the age of 40, the rate of breast cancer diagnosis in women begins to increase. If your cancer is small and early-stage, your doctor may recommend a lumpectomy rather than a full mastectomy. A lumpectomy is an outpatient procedure where your surgeon will remove abnormal or cancerous tissue from your breast, taking some healthy tissue with it as well (as opposed to a mastectomy, where the full breast tissue is removed). The procedure itself typically takes anywhere from 15-40 minutes, and recovery time is right around two weeks.

Why we love ClearFast PreOp for lumpectomies:

The complex carbs in ClearFast PreOp make for an enhanced recovery upon waking from anesthesia—allowing lumpectomy patients to get out of the hospital and home sooner. Plus, because ClearFast is all-natural, gluten-free, free of colored dyes, and free from simple sugars and fat, it’s the perfect presurgery nutrition option for patients who are particularly focused on health and wellness, as many lumpectomy patients are.

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Ready to start your surgery experience off right? Order your ClearFast PreOp here—or reach out to the ClearFast team at support@drinkcf.com if you have any questions at all!

Presurgery Nutrition

Introducing CF Protein: An All-New Plant Protein Drink Designed to Take Your Surgery Nutrition Plan to the Next Level

Post author By drinkcfadmin
Post date March 21, 2019
No Comments on Introducing CF Protein: An All-New Plant Protein Drink Designed to Take Your Surgery Nutrition Plan to the Next Level

Plant Protein Drink ClearFast CF Protein

If you’ve spent any time browsing the ClearFast website or scrolling through our social media channels, you probably know we’re all about arming patients with the knowledge and resources they need to take control of their procedure. Today, then, we’re so excited to announce one other tool in our arsenal: all-new CF Protein! A plant protein drink that’s as tasty as it is effective, today we’re talking all you need to know about the newest addition to the ClearFast family. Read on to learn all about this plant-based protein powerhouse.

What is CF Protein and what’s in it?

CF Protein is an all-natural plant protein drink that’s made from high quality ingredients specifically formulated to drink in the days and weeks leading up to surgery. It’s chock-full of tons of healthy, nutrient-dense ingredients and designed to deliver a powerful pre-procedure punch. Ingredients in our all-new plant protein drink include:

Yellow pea protein: for its complete protein (containing all nine essential amino acids), promotes muscle growth, easily digestible, good source of iron, allergen free.
Chia seed oil: for significant amounts of omega-3 essential fatty acids, its anti-inflammatory properties, and high levels of antioxidants for skin and cell protection.
Coconut water concentrate: for electrolytes to promote hydration (potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium), blood pressure regulation, trace vitamin C to assist in wound healing.
L-Citrulline: for aid in muscle recovery, increased protein synthesis, boosted nitric oxide and growth hormone levels.
Mango juice concentrate: for vitamins C and A, high in potassium and calcium, promotes insulin stability, may lower cholesterol levels, a rich source of antioxidants.
Turmeric: for reduced inflammation, hepatoprotective, antiplatelet aggregation, antioxidant, antimicrobial.
Maltodextrin: for reduced loss of muscle mass, decreased anxiety and hunger, improved nitrogen balance.
Lemon juice concentrate: for increased feelings of satiety, to help curb cravings.
Filtered water: for hydration, less stress and/or anxiety, and decreased pain perception
Stevia: for lower blood sugar, decreased cellular insulin resistance, increased cellular insulin sensitivity.

Why did you develop CF Protein?

Thanks to modern medical research and effective ERAS programs, we now know that fasting from midnight and arranging a ride home aren’t enough to prepare for your procedure. Patients need to mindfully prepare for surgery in the days and weeks leading up to their procedure, and part of that preparation involves having a solid surgery nutrition plan in place. Why? Ultimately it comes down to the fact that how strong and healthy your body is going under anesthesia is directly connected to how well (and how fast) you’re able to recover. Because of this, the same seasoned anesthesiologist who developed our flagship presurgery drink product developed CF Protein as therapeutic nutrition to support patients young and old on their individual surgery prep and recovery journeys.

Additionally, other options on the market aren’t plant based and all-natural, aren’t specifically designed and intended for presurgery use, and/or aren’t easily and readily available for purchase online—so we designed our plant protein drink to address all of those issues, because we believe patients deserve the best.

Who is your plant protein drink for and when should they use it?

CF Protein is for any patient who needs therapeutic nutrition to supplement their diet leading up to surgery. It’s also great for patients after surgery who can’t eat or have difficulty eating solid foods but who still need to get in complete nutrition in order to heal (oral surgery patients are just one great example of this). Because it’s all-natural and extremely nutrient dense, though, our plant protein drink is also great for everyday nutrition.

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Overall, what you do before you go under the knife has everything to do with what happens after—and CF Protein is just one simple, proactive step you can take to help ensure a faster, smoother, stronger surgery recovery.

Ready to start your surgery experience off right? Order your CF Protein Drink here—or reach out to the ClearFast team at support@drinkcf.com if you have any questions at all!

For Med Pros Preparing for Surgery

Happier Patients & Better Surgery Recovery: 3 Reasons ERAS® is Being Implemented Around the World

Post author By drinkcfadmin
Post date March 7, 2019
No Comments on Happier Patients & Better Surgery Recovery: 3 Reasons ERAS® is Being Implemented Around the World

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery, or ERAS® as it’s known in the medical field (pronounced ee-raz), is a program that follows 17 key elements which work together to make for safer surgeries and better surgery recovery for patients. (Psst..if you didn’t catch our breakdown on what ERAS is all about, you can find that here.) The goal of ERAS is to benefit both patients and hospitals by taking a multi-pronged approach to caring for patients throughout their entire surgery journey. With an array of research pointing to endless benefits, it’s no surprise this effective surgery protocol program is becoming increasingly popular. Read on for 3 reasons hospitals around the world are kicking outdated surgery prep to the curb and making the surgery-smart shift to effective ERAS programs instead.

The research is in.

As decades go by, we learn more and more about the human body, and medical practices advance as a result. One of the places this is most apparent is in the field of surgery—a slew of modern medical research points to a finding that flips antiquated surgery prep on its head: by making a plan to care for our bodies before surgery (rather than simply fasting from midnight, setting up a ride home, and calling it a day), we can increase our chance of safer surgeries and better surgery recovery. Research shows that following the 17 elements of an ERAS program ultimately “reduces the stress of the operation” and leads to:

Reduced length-of-stay of up to 50%
Reduced rates of surgical complications
Higher patient satisfaction scores (HCAHPS)
Lower rates of re-admittance
Lower costs

It’s good for the hospital—and great for the patient.

Better surgery recovery benefits everyone: Hospitals reduce their costs by decreasing re-admittance rates and shortening the length of stay after surgery—while patients see benefits like a reduced risk of post-op infection (more on how surgical infections are tied to presurgery nutrition here) and a significantly reduced risk of post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV).

According to Ms McAuliffe, a senior orthopaedic surgical practitioner at East Surrey Hospital, ERAS Programs “focus on every stage of the patient journey, from their initial assessment through to follow-up care. It’s a complete package and leads you to think about the patient as an individual so you can give them tailored care, which is what nursing should be all about.” Ultimately, the fact that ERAS offers a comprehensive approach to surgical care serves up benefits across the board—but particularly for empowered patients who see far better surgery recovery as a result of following ERAS protocols.

There are resources to support patient prep.

One of the key elements of an ERAS program is using an ERAS-compliant presurgery drink in place of the outdated fasting-from-midnight instructions. (It makes perfect sense when you think about it: rather than entering surgery dehydrated and on an empty stomach, you have a presurgery nutrition plan designed specifically with the human body, anesthesia, surgical risks, and the healing process in mind.) But, sports drinks and chalky nutrition shakes don’t come close to making the cut—an ERAS-compliant drink has to meet a number of standards in order to be both safe to drink before surgery and effective enough to lead to proven enhanced recovery. Because ClearFast Preop was developed by an anesthesiologist specifically to meet ERAS requirements, getting patients ERAS-compliant presurgery nutrition is now a reality for hospitals across the U.S, who use ClearFast as part of their ERAS programs every day.

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If you’re ready to wake up from anesthesia feeling great, you can ask your hospital if they have an ERAS program and order your ClearFast Preop Drink here. And, as always, don’t hesitate to reach out to the ClearFast team at support@drinkcf.com if you have any questions at all. We’re always here and happy to help!

Psst…Want to know even more about the benefits of ERAS? Check out clips from Dr. Olle Ljungqvist’s ERAS TED Talk here.

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